Arteta: Everton's fortunes changing

Playmaker Mikel Arteta is confident Everton can still finish a frustrating campaign on a glorious high.

Everton have been inconsistent all season and spent little time in the top half of the Barclays Premier League. They began to put that right as they eased into mid-table with a comfortable 2-0 win over Sunderland and their FA Cup challenge has been ignited by last week's stunning victory at Chelsea.

Arteta said: "I think it was a good performance. We needed that to build on last Saturday's game and the confidence we got from that. Hopefully we are back on it now. Tuesday is a massive game. Hopefully we can get through and hopefully it is going to be sold out."

The Toffees will now hope to claim a place in the quarter-finals as they face Reading in the fifth round at Goodison Park on Tuesday.

Arteta added: "Let's give the fans something as well. It is the only chance now we have got to win something, so let's beat Reading and that will make a big difference to the season.

"I also didn't get the chance to play in the (2009) final because I was injured, so hopefully we can beat Reading and get closer to returning there."

Arteta himself has had an indifferent season and admits he has not played to the standards he is capable of.

The 28-year-old Spaniard looked more like his old self with an influential display against the Black Cats at Goodison, although the main damage was done by Jermaine Beckford's first-half double.

"I have had a season where it has been tough for me," said Arteta, who signed a five-year contract last summer. "I have been trying hard but some of the things haven't gone the way I wanted.

"I think for creative players it is even harder than for defenders. But I kept working and I am finding my form and I am confident now."

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